Teaching tales MENZIES 4

Steve was a disruptive boy but likeable. He was forever chatting in class, always involved in mischief and full of jokes. It was fashionable in those days to list the topics for the lesson on the board at the beginning. One day I wrote Ratio and Proportion - as soon as Steve came in he said "I'll ratio yow (race you) round the classroom then Sir". He always argued it was more important to know why you were doing a topic rather than just its name. He hated text book question that he felt were tedious, repetitious or very difficult - I think he was right.
At that stage I was a probationer and as such had to be observed by a LEA officer. I asked the Deputy Head what she was like, he said Twin Set and Pearls - I didn't understand until I saw her. She also had a startling mop of grey hair with a blue rinse. When I arrived she was already at the back of the room - the class entered and Steve shouted "Oh Sir has your granny come to watch?" At the end of the lesson the officer said she thought that he was a bit naughty but was unable to offer any advice. She finished by saying "Well done Mr Scott, I think you will pass your probation." Mr Scott and I both passed and were promoted to Scale 1 on the teaching rung.
Years later I met Steve at Sandwell hospital - he was a well respected member of staff running his own department!